Canada 150 Project

We may recall that for our 2016 -2017 year we took on the project of "QuArtz does Canada" in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.  The parameters of the projects were defined, techniques selected and a placement grid was determined.  It looked something like this:

Here are some of the results of our project along with artist statements.

Point Taken:A History of the Hudson's Bay Point Blanket
by Cathy Gaetz-Brothen

Materials: Beads, cheesecloth, buttons, hand-dyed fabrics, yarn, ribbon, paint, confetti pieces, and sheers.

Artist Statement: Having an affinity for the Hudson’s Bay Company, the point blanket seemed to be the closest item to a quilt, with a most interesting Canadian history.

A: Points were woven into the blankets by the French weavers to indicate sizing.

B: The original symbols of HBC. Color meanings: blue—water; yellow—sunshine or harvest; red—hunting; green—new growth. The beads read like an abacus for the year the company was formed in 1670.

C: Hudson’s Bay coat

D: Logo - Cap of Maintenance, fox, and St. George’s cross

E: The First Nation people traded salmon for point blankets.

F: Green canoes and leaves represent new growth.

G: Elk antlers replicate the two elk on the logo which were changed later to moose.

              

Birds of a Feather by Christine Trory

Materials & Techniques:  Hand-dyed, painted and commercial fabrics, silk, chiffon, velvet, Tyvek, applique, beads, sequins.  In addition to the required techniques, raw-edge applique, trapunto, hand and machine embroidery and heat/melting were used.

Artist Statement: When this challenge was given to us, I knew that I wanted to do something involving Canadian nature.  I decided to take some common birds that are found in British Columbia to illustrate the diversity that is Canada.  I also used this challenge to further my creativity and knowledge using heat to create some interesting effects for my piece.  The birds are: the common loon, Canada geese, Steller’s jay, raven, rufous hummingbird and the great spotted owl.

Canada Eh! by Hiroko Marr

Artist Statement:  About twenty years ago, my friend from Japan and I spent time together in Ottawa on Canada Day.  We say the Snowbirds flying in the afternoon and the fireworks at night over Parliament Hill.  We had a great time together.  This is my Canada.....Happy Birthday Canada

Wood Buffalo National Park by Jeanette Marten

Materials & Techniques:  Acrylic paint, fabric, beading, natural dyeing, confetti quilting, collage, wool painting, buttons.

Artist Statement: Upon seeing a documentary about Wood Buffalo National Park I was taken with the beauty of the area and knew that I had to create some kind of art piece based on that place.  When our Art Quilting group (QuArtz) decided to honor Canada this year by requiring that our pieces have something quintessentially Canadian in it I immediately knew that I would feature that park. What could be more Canadian than one of our parks and the buffalo? We explored various techniques throughout the year which also had to be featured in our work. I incorporated these into my piece by choosing a color palate which matched the earthy tones found in Wood Buffalo National Park.

Oh Canada by Joyce Evanishen

Artist Statement: Inspired by what Canada means to me.

A: The Canadian Flag: That’s Canada.

B: Let it Snow:  So we can have fun and enjoy the outdoors...skiing, curling, hockey and much more.

C: The RCMP: They serve and protect our nation.

D: On the Beach: Enjoying the sunshine while we play in and on the water. No end to summer fun.

E & G: Our Sports: Baseball, football, soccer, golf…that’s what we do and how we play through each and every season of the year.

F. Nunavik:  "Our Land" a symbol of the north.  The Canada Goose – can be seen and heard in every province across Canada.

HAPPY 150^TH BIRTHDAY CANADA

OUR Home and Native Land by Linda Kuraoka

Materials & Techniques:  Porcupine quills, antler buttons, authentic spearhead, leather, cedar bark.

Artist Statement: To Honour Canadian First Nations People

What makes Canada?

OUR Flag, OUR Constitution and OUR Land.

OUR population of wildlife...grizzly bear paw print.

OUR vast lands, waters, and seas under an enormous sky...ancient totems of Haida Gwaii.

OUR knowledge past and present...the medicine wheel and seven First Nations teachings.

OUR history…Hudson's Bay Company traded beaver pelts with First Nations people.

OUR people, Canadian citizens...weaving of First Nations people and nationalities of the world.

Celebrate Canada 150!

Windows of Newfoundland by Lorraine Johnson Brotsky

Materials & Techniques:  Chiffon, netting, hand dyed yarns, couched embroidery floss, machine embroidery and quilting, buttons.

Artist Statement: Having recently travelled for three weeks in Newfoundland, I was taken by the coastal dwellings and lighthouses that show the quaint culture and rugged isolation of the people of this province.

A: Dwyer House, Tilting, Fogo Island 1890

B: Channel Head Lighthouse, Port Aux Basques 1895

C: Cape Spear Lighthouse 1955

D: Cape Spear Original Lighthouse (oldest in NFL) 1836

E: Point Riche Lighthouse, Port au Choix 1892

G: Fox Point Lighthouse, St Anthony’s 1960

F: Beach huts / ice-fishing cabins, Cavendish

Canadian Inventions by Mary Matus

Materials & Techniques: Photo printing, Mylar, embroidered lettering, felt, ink-dyed lamb’s wool, suede, paint, natural dyeing, red leather and reverse appliqué.

Artist Statement: For more than two hundred years, Canadians have contributed to important innovations and technological advancements that have improved everyone's lifestyle.  One of the oldest Canadian inventions is the McIntosh Red apple, developed by John McIntosh (1811). Included here are just 13 inventions. Can you spot them?   Don't forget to include the zipper!

My Canada in Denim by Val Tucker

Artist Statement: Denim now is used everywhere. Three well-worn and faded work shirts were un-stitched. Seams, yokes, facings, pockets and the snaps became design elements.

A: Canadian Tux: 2012 Olympics

B: Collage: my favourites

C: Canadian florals; diamond and confetti-cut fabrics

D: Folk art-painted Canadian icons: maple leaf and hockey skate

E: Naturally-dyed and stained fabrics in a de-constructed Canada 150 logo representing ten provinces and three territories

F: Northern Canada night sky in fibre

G: 150 diamond in 13 lines of echo-stitching

Canada in Strips and Squares by Eliszbeth Reymond

Materials & Techniques: Most of my artwork is collage using cotton, silk, drapery and clothing material, tulle plus buttons and other embellishments.

Artist Statement: The QuArtz challenge conjured up a vision of the diverse landscapes in Canada Which I have tried to portray.  As I worked my way through the various sections I tried to incorporate the prescribed techniques.  It was a challenging project and demanded a lot of improvisation and new skills.  Once finished I was pleased with the outcome and the choices I had made.